We encourage students to pack minimally for the fall semester at Pitt. Also consider the durability of what you bring to campus and what might end up happening to items when you no longer need them. Can they be donated, reused, or recycled, or will they end up in a landfill? Pitt prides itself on being a sustainable campus and this extends to your stay in our residence halls. Take advantage of Ship2Pitt, and, when possible, limit additional items only to what you can carry in one trip.
What to Bring
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencils/Pens
- Post-its
- Stapler
- Backpack
- Calculator
- Tape
Pro tip: Order your supplies from the University Store on Fifth for convenient delivery to your residence hall.
- Pictures/Posters
- Hangers
- Umbrella
- Removable Wall Hooks
- Lamp (non-halogen)
Be sure to check the specifications for your residence hall for the correct bedding size.
- Sheets
- Blanket/Comforter
- Pillows
- Mattress Pad (optional)
- Small tote or Shower Caddy
- Towels
- Wash Cloths
- Robe
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Toothpaste
- Reusable Mug
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Utensils
- Reusable Shopping Bags – Single-use bags cost 25 cents at all Pitt Eats locations and University Stores.
- Laundry Bag/Hamper
- Detergent
- Dryer Sheets
- Drying Rack
- Disinfecting wipes
- Paper Towels
- Dish Soap
- Multipurpose Cleaning Spray
- If you have a private bathroom…
- Toilet Bowl Brush
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Plunger
- Shower and Sink Cleaning Product
- Laptop
- TV (optional, 32” or smaller to ensure it fits in your residence hall)
- Gaming System (optional)
- Power Strip with a Surge Protector
- Fan
- Microwave
- Microfridge – Rent a Microfridge!
- Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
- Thermometer
- Bandaids
- First Aid Kit
- Panther Card
- Driver's license
- ATM card
- Social Security Card
- Insurance cards
If You Bring...
For more information about biking on campus, visit the Bike Pitt website.
On-campus parking is available to full-time resident students. Due to the limited number of available spaces, permits are distributed by lottery.
Remember that with your Panther Card you can ride Pitt Shuttles and Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses for free. You can also bring a bike or rent a POGOH bike for free to get across campus or the city. There are also Zipcars to rent (Pitt students get a discount) and plenty of ride-hailing services like Lyft or Uber to request when you do need a car. With so many transportation options you may not need to bring a car to campus. Explore your transportation options with Parking and Transportation Services.
Often items are purchased prior to moving to Pitt, and are not needed. We recommend waiting to purchase until you have arrived on campus and have determined need, in order to save money and reduce waste.
Gaming systems must be configured to use Wi-Fi. ResNet is the free high-speed Wi-Fi network in residence halls. It accommodates up to seven devices per and allows online gaming.
Basic cable television is in each room/suite in residence halls and each bedroom/living room in apartment-style accommodations, and Pitt has teamed up with Comcast to provide students living on campus access to XFINITY on Campus. Through XFINITY on Campus, residents may access On Demand and live TV network via laptop, tablet, or smartphone. XFINITY on Campus is available online, via app, and through Roku.
What We Provide
- Bed (Sizes may vary. Check your residence hall's page for more information.)
- Desk and chair
- Dresser
- Closet/Wardrobe
- Cable TV (Many residences also offer XFINITY on Campus.)
- Recycle and landfill bins. Learn about recycling and waste on campus on the Office of Sustainability's Zero Waste website.
- Laundry facilities
- Vacuum cleaner
What to Bring Later
You do not need to ship or bring all of your belongings all at once! Pack lighter by shipping some of your seasonal items at a later date.
While Pittsburgh can get cold during the winter months, temperatures remain relatively warm until mid-October. Therefore, we recommend that you plan to bring or ship your winter items and accessories, like jackets, sweaters, snow boots, hats, gloves, and scarves at a later date.
What Not to Bring
The following items are not permitted in the residence halls. Please review the Student Code of Conduct and Residential Handbook for all University and on-campus policies.
Extension cords are not permitted, but we recommend that you bring a power strip with a surge protector.
Appliances not permitted include:
- Coffee maker with burner
- Crockpot
- Water boiler
- Steamer/rice cooker
- Toaster/toaster oven
- Gas grill/indoor grill
- Hot plate
- Open flame cooking device or heating unit
- Air Fryers
Air conditioners are not permitted, but we recommend that you bring a fan.
The following items are not permitted in your room:
- Lava lamps
- Halogen lamps
- High-intensity quartz lamps
- Candles or candle warmers
- Holiday lights
- Space heaters
Pets are not permitted in residence halls. Assistance and service animals are permitted with approval from Disability Resources and Services.
E-scooters and hoverboards cannot be stored, operated, or charged inside any university building, including residence halls, apartments, academic or administrative buildings, and enclosed garages. These devices use lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries which can overheat and catch fire if improperly charged or poorly manufactured. These guidelines are in place to protect students and employees from potential fires and explosions.